Pollinator and flower visiting insect community comparison in high input conventional and low-input peach orchards

Peach production in the Southeast is commonly managed with frequent applications of broad-spectrum pesticides to combat pest species. Such high intensity management has the potential to have significant negative impacts on non-target beneficial arthropods. However, there is little data evaluating these conventional, “high input” management effects on the non-target beneficial species in Southeastern peach production. The goal of this study was to assess spatiotemporal activity of insect pollinators and other flower visiting insect communities in relation to management practices; high input and low input. To collect data, pan traps were collected biweekly throughout the growing season in three high input sites and three low input sites. Initial results suggest high-input orchards had higher abundance of Diptera and Hymenoptera across the growing season, while low-input orchards had greater diversity of Diptera and Hymenoptera. In order to work towards more sustainable management practices, it is essential to have a more complete understanding of the arthropod community within the orchards. These data will inform on how frequent use of broad spectrum insecticides may alter ecosystem composition, and the subsequent implications for the ecosystem services the non-target species provide.